That Sinking Feeling

In footwashing news from last week, the popular new Pope Francis washed the feet of Italian youthful offenders as a sign of humility during Easter week. This was done by Jesus Christ, who washed the feet of his disciples before the Last Supper. All around the world, Christians found this gesture moving and uplifting.

Meanwhile, down Tennessee way, State Senator Bill Ketron, a Republican from Murfreesboro, raised all sorts of tarnation over a question from one Judd Matheny, a Republican out of Tullahoma.  

Tennessee Muslim Prayer Sink   

What got old Judd's dander up was his sneaking suspicion that during the $16 million worth of renovation done recently to the state capital building, some good ol' boy built one of those Muslim foot sinks into one of the rooms.

Muslims are required to wash their feet, along with their faces and hands, before praying.  This could be seen as part of their daily ablutions, or down in Tennessee, as an act of terrorism.

Judd went a-hollerin' down to Bill's office with his crazy fear that the Muslims were fixin' to get a foothold, as it were, right there in the state capital!  Lookie here, they're installing a foot sink!

Well, an official inquiry was launched, costing who the heck knows how many dollars and wasted time, and back came the answer that was already known to anyone on earth who has ever taken half a moment to stop running around all busy being important to engage a custodian to see how he/she mops up the soup that you spill all over the break room.  They use what they call a mop sink.

Tennessee mop sink

“I confirmed with the facility administrator for the State Capitol Complex that the floor-level sink installed in the men’s restroom outside the House Chamber is for housekeeping use,” Legislative Administration Director Connie Ridley wrote in an email.

But, Tennessee legislators are doing the right thing, casting a chary eye at the activities of these people.  Imagine, praying in public!  And with clean hands, faces and feet!